The exposition at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre features all leading jewellery brands from Singapore as well as suppliers and retailers from more than 20 countries including Colombia, Belgium, China, India, Malaysia, Israel, Turkey and Thailand.

"Retail jewellery sales alone contribute more than 1.1 billion Singapore dollars (Bt26.5 billion) to our economy. It also adds glam and glitter to tourism shopping, where jewellery is the third most purchased category of merchandise after apparel and electronic goods," Loh Khum Yean, chief executive of Spring Singapore, said in his opening speech.

Edward Liu, managing director of Conference and Exhibition Management Service, said he expects 15,000 visitors, up from 10,000 last year. The newcomer in the world of jewellery exhibition would help promote the city-state as a jewellery hub, he said.

The highlight of the four-day event is the celebrity jewellery charity online auction where eight Singaporean singers and stars donate their beloved accessories for bidding via eBay.

The proceeds will be donated to the Children's Cancer Foundation in Singapore.

Also showcased are Peruvian Ester Ventura's jewellery designs,  pens by Valeria Matta and the works of young local talents.

Ekavut Sabchareon, managing director of Harmony By Hand, Thailand's leading exporter in invisible-setting sapphire jewellery and one of the two Thai exhibitors, said his company was attending for the first time but he hopes to get some solid clients to further his business in Singapore.

Sopaporn Kurz

The Nation

Singapore